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Thursday, August 31

ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 29, 2017) – The second leg of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs kicks off this week outside of Boston at the Dell Technologies Championship, with 96 of the top-100 eligible players in the field. The LPGA Tour heads to Oregon for the Cambia Portland Classic as Brooke Henderson looks to win the event for a third consecutive year. The PGA TOUR Champions are in Canada for the Shaw Charity Classic in Alberta, where Scott McCarron, Paul Goydos and Fred Couples headline the field, along with six-time major champion, Nick Faldo. Martin Kaymer and Lee Westwood lead the field at the European Tour’s D+D REAL Czech Masters.

PGA TOUR

Dell Technologies Championship

Dates: Sept. 1-4

Venue: TPC Boston, Norton, Mass.

Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):

Friday 2:30-6:30 p.m. (Live) / 11p.m.-3 a.m. (Replay)

Saturday 3-6:30 p.m. (Live) / 11 p.m.-2:30 a.m. (Replay)

Sunday 1-3 p.m. (Live) / 10 p.m.-3 a.m. (Replay)

Monday 11:30-1:30 p.m. (Live) / Midnight-5 a.m. (Replay)

Tournament Airtimes on NBC (Eastern):

Sunday 3-6 p.m. (Live)

Monday 1:30-6 p.m. (Live)

Broadcast Notes:

Friday start, Monday finish due to holiday weekend: Due to the holiday weekend, the first round of the Dell Technologies Championship begins Friday, Sept. 1, and the final round is scheduled to conclude on Monday, Sept. 4. The top-100 players in the FedExCup standings following The Northern Trust are eligible to compete, and the top-70 in the standings following Monday’s final round will advance to the BMW Championship in two weeks.

McIlroy defends: Reigning FedExCup champion Rory McIlroy made up a six-shot final-round deficit last year to take the title.

Henderson defends: After her second-consecutive win at the event in 2016, Brooke Henderson joined the likes of Annika Sorenstam and Kathy Whitworth as the third player to win back-to-back at the Cambia Portland Classic.

Wednesday, August 30

THE ABOVE GOLF CHANNEL REPORT details how Chris Stroud, Sergio Garcia (whose wife is from Texas) and others are responding to the calamity in and around Houston resulting from the mammoth storm called Harvey.

In addition, LPGA Tour player Stacy Lewis and her husband live in Houston. As of Tuesday their home was OK.

"I'm getting updates," Lewis told GolfChannel.com, "but it's a pretty helpless feeling. It's hard to see the pictures, to imagine being there and seeing all of that water. It's unimaginable."

Tuesday, August 29

This article is sponsored by ubergolf.net.By Dominic J. LeonThis is a difficult question indeed. Given the number of enthusiastic fans on the sides of golf GPS and laser rangefinders, I expect a verbal war anytime. But here I am getting into the fray with facts.

These straight points will help you decide which rangefinder is best for YOU. That's the key word since everybody has their own preferences and strengths. I'll go into the major markers of a good rangefinder and see how both types live up to the standards. Based on which features you prioritize over others, you can settle your personal debate of golf GPS versus laser rangefinders.Accuracy: When using a golf rangefinder, your top requirement is accurate yardage. Although both golf GPS and laser rangefinders are quite close in this regard, the latter still win the game. The best laser rangefinders can tell the distance within 0.5 yards accuracy.Golf GPS devices average 2-3 yards uncertainty. Most golfers report that 1-2 yards difference is not a big problem. But if you are fussy down to millimeters, go laser!Operation: The basic distances to the front, center and back of the greens are instantly available on golf GPS devices. They determine your GPS location and use it to automatically calculate all the distances. Meanwhile, with your laser rangefinder, you have to aim at the exact target. Some of the modern laser rangefinders like Bushnell Tour Jolt have the technology to pinpoint and alert you when the target is locked. Still, if you have a sloth grip on the rangefinder you might not be able to get distances correctly.With golf GPS, operation gets a little complicated only for advanced features like scorecard or green view. But the best golf GPS devices still have a user-friendly interface. Tournament legality: Laser rangefinders are always tournament-legal. Some modern ones like Bushnell Tour X have a removable faceplate which gives you slope-adjusted distances. These are forbidden in tournaments, so Bushnell provides a spare faceplate for normal distances.

Golf GPS devices are subjected to the Local Rule. You need to confirm from the tournament committee or your club whether golf GPS is allowed. They are gradually gaining acceptance. Golf GPS devices that give slope-adjusted distances are not allowed in most tournaments. Value for money: A good laser rangefinder will cost you north of $200. Even then it will only have distance-measuring function and features to speed up the process. This is not a great value for money. But golf GPS devices bang big for the bucks. Even the simplest golf watch will have an odometer, shot tracking feature and will work as a normal watch with an alarm. Bigger handheld GPS rangefinders have better specs like training aid, green view, performance stats, club recommendation, digital scorecard for multiple players, WiFi connectivity, smart notifications etc. Golf GPS is a well-rounded investment. They have cheaper options too, right down to free Android/Apple GPS apps. Versatility: The main advantage of laser rangefinders is that they are aim-and-measure devices. You can go to any course and point at the target for distance. They can also be used for hunting and other outdoor activities where distances are needed.Golf GPS requires that you have the course map loaded on to it. The best golf GPS rangefinders today come preloaded with 30,000-plus courses. You can always add more. Plus the other features like odometer, alarm, timer, etc. may come into use beyond the golf course. Size: Laser rangefinders need to store the laser mechanism so they tend to be a little bulky. Even the lightest ones would come up to five to six ounces. Golf GPS are available in all sizes and shapes. The golf watch can be worn on the wrist. They are as small as regular sports watches. Golf handhelds are the size of a smartphone. Golf voice clip-ons usually weigh only one or two ounces and can be attached to your visor or belt loop.Error potential: Laser rangefinders are only as good as their owner. If you don't have a steady hand, you might have some problems aiming the laser. The best ones today help you in every way to aim correctly but it's still difficult for some golfers.Golf GPS devices don't require you to aim. But this is electronics after all. If you get a bad piece or forget to update them, you might start seeing errors. It is annoying because there isn't much you can do about it. Quality control is strict enough that such bugs are rare. Line of sight: Laser rangefinders can only aim at visible targets for distance. Golf GPS can tell you distances to points that are not visible to you on the course. So you get a fair warning of upcoming hazards, provided hazard distances are a feature of the device. Subscription fee: Laser rangefinders are pretty much a single-time investment. Once bought, they can be directly used until they break. Some golf GPS manufacturers levy a subscription fee to update your course database. This adds to the cost of ownership. At the minimum, you might have to register at the website of the device to get access to some features and updates. Durability: Laser rangefinders pack a fragile laser apparatus and lens. You have to be careful not to damage it. Golf GPS devices are more durable. But I still suggest exercising some caution before mistreating them. Author BioI am Dominic J. Leon. At my website ubergolf.net, we provide holistic literature towards the development of your golf career. We have all the information you need to bring your A-game to the golf course. We will arm you with comprehensive knowledge about all things golf, from the best golf GPS watches to all about indoor golf. We specialize in buying guides, reviews, how-to tips and golf nutrition tips. If you would like to learn and grow with us as a golfer, do follow us on our website.

Sunday, August 27

DUSTIN JOHNSON WON THE NORTHERN TRUST, the first leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, by defeating Jordan Spieth in a one-hole sudden-death playoff in Old Westbury, New York.

Johnson began the final round three shots behind 54-hole leader Spieth but caught the Open champion with a closing 66, which included a dramatic par on the 72nd hole. A mammoth drive and a wedge to three feet set up the winning birdie for DJ on the first playoff hole.

"I feel like the game is finally back in form like it was leading into the Masters," Johnson told CBS's Dottie Pepper on the 18th green. "I feel like I'm swinging everything really well. Got a lot of control over the golf ball. I'm feeling really good. Obviously getting the win here today gives me a lot of confidence going into next week and the rest of the playoffs."

"I didn't lose the tournament," Spieth said. "He won it."

The playoffs move on to TPC Boston where the top 100 will compete in the Dell Technologies Championship.

Thursday, August 24

ORLANDO, Fla. (August 23, 2017) –The FedExCup Playoffs kick off this week as the top-125 from the season-long points race advance to take part in The Northern Trust. Players will tee it up at Glen Oaks Club, a new venue for the event, where they’ll look to play their way into the top-100 in the standings to earn a spot in next week’s Dell Technologies Championship. Hideki Matsuyama tops the standings thanks to three wins and three runner-up finishes this season. The LPGA Tour heads north of the border for the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, where world No. 3 Ariya Jutanugarn looks to find her form as she defends her 2016 title. The PGA TOUR Champions are in Washington for the Boeing Classic, while two-time major champions Martin Kaymer and John Daly are in the field at the Made in Denmark on the European Tour.

PGA TOUR

The Northern Trust

Dates: August 24-27

Venue: Glen Oaks Club, Old Westbury, N.Y.

Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):

Thursday: 2-6 p.m. (Live) / 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. (Replay)

Friday: 2-6 p.m. (Live) / 10:30 p.m.-2:30 a.m. (Replay)

Saturday: 1-2:30 p.m. (Live) / 11 p.m.-3:30 a.m. (Replay)

Sunday: Noon-1:30 p.m. (Live) / 11 p.m.-3 a.m. (Replay)

Tournament Airtimes on CBS (Eastern):

Saturday: 3-6 p.m.

Sunday: 3-6 p.m.

Broadcast Notes:

Featured pairings: FedExCup points leaders Hideki Matsuyama (1), Justin Thomas (2) and Jordan Spieth (3) will tee it up together in the first two rounds of The Northern Trust. The next three in the standings – Dustin Johnson (4), Rickie Fowler (5) and Jon Rahm (6) – also will be paired together on Thursday and Friday.

Reed defends: Patrick Reed won by one shot over Sean O’Hair and Emiliano Grillo.

Five players out of event: The field will feature 120 players, with two players choosing not to compete (No. 22 Sergio Garcia and No. 66 Adam Scott) and three players out due to injury (No. 64 Brandt Snedeker, No. 85 Scott Piercy and No. 115 Dominic Bozzelli).

"They believed in each other," said U.S. captain Juli Inkster. "They played for the person behind them and in front of them. They played some amazing golf."

"Sometimes it is not always about the results," said European captain Annika Sorenstam. "This has been a lot about the journey. I've learned a lot this past 18 months. It has been a pleasure to represent the European Tour. I'm so proud of these young girls. New friendships and new memories."

Cup Notes
This was the fifth time the United States successfully defended the Cup.

Every U.S. team member won at least one match.

The matches were close: 24 of 28 matches finished on the closing holes.

The rookies on the U.S. team played especially well, posting a record of 6-3-1.

Saturday, August 19

An advisory from Golf Channel.In order to avoid potential inclement weather at the Solheim Cup, tee times have been moved up on Sunday, with the first tee time scheduled for 10:31 a.m. ET / 9:31 a.m. CT.As a result, Golf Channel will begin airing live coverage of the final day on Sunday beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. CT and will air on Golf Channel through the event’s conclusion. NBC will air a two-hour “Best of Solheim Cup” from 4-6 p.m. ET.

Listed below are the schedule changes for Sunday, Aug. 20 on Golf Channel (all times ET).

Wednesday, August 16

ORLANDO, Fla. (August 15, 2017) – The best in the women’s game representing the U.S. and Europe are in Des Moines, Iowa for the biennial Solheim Cup. Juli Inkster and Annika Sorenstam captain the Americans and Europeans respectively in their quest to claim the trophy. This year marks the Solheim Cup’s return to network television for the first time in 15 years, as NBC will broadcast coverage on Saturday and Sunday. The last time the two teams met in 2015, the United States narrowly clinched the victory, 14 ½ - 13 ½, the closest margin in the event’s history. The PGA TOUR will stay in North Carolina this week as players head to Sedgefield Country Club for the Wyndham Championship; the last tournament before the start of the FedExCup Playoffs. Kevin Kisner, who led the PGA Championship going into the final round, and world No. 9 Henrik Stenson headline the field as players look to cement their place inside the Top 125 of the season-long standings. The PGA TOUR Champions head to Upstate New York for the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open, as Charles Schwab Cup leader Bernhard Langer looks for his fifth win of the season. Paul Lawrie plays host and competitor this week on the European Tour for the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play in Germany, with a field of 64 vying for the title.

Last chance to earn spot in FedEx Cup Playoffs: The Wyndham Championship serves as the final event in which players can earn points to solidify their position within the top 125 of the FedExCup standings to qualify for the Playoffs, beginning next week.

Wall defends: Anthony Wall defeated Alex Noren 1-up last year to capture his second career Tour win, and first in more than 16 years. Wall holds the record for the longest period between victories on the European Tour.

Monday, August 14

JUSTIN THOMAS BROKE FROM A PACK of contenders to win the 99th PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. The son of a PGA club professional and a close friend of three-time major winner Jordan Spieth, Thomas shot a closing 68 to claim his first major victory.

"[T]he PGA definitely had a special place in my heart," Thomas said, "and maybe a special drive. It's just a great win for the family, and it’'s a moment we'll never forget — all of us."

Francesco Molinari, Patrick Reed and Louis Oosthuizen finished in a tie for second. Third-round leader Kevin Kisner (74), who held at least a share of the lead for much of Sunday, faltered on the incoming nine and tied for seventh. World No. 3 Hideki Matsuyama also stumbled to the clubhouse, finishing with a 72 that landed him in fifth.

Thanks to clutch shot making, a warm putter and a timely break or two, Thomas separated himself on the incoming nine and survived the Green Mile to fulfill his dream of winning that first major. One of the first people to congratulate him when he walked off the 18th green was his pal since boyhood.

Saturday, August 12

ABOVE AND BELOW ARE CLIPS of Jackie Burke Jr., who was on 'Feherty' this past week. Can you believe this man is 94?

In the above sequence, Burke talks about the golf swing and hits a few balls. Below, he tells David Feherty about playing the tour in the 1950s when everyone held a club pro job. (There was very little money on the circuit.) If you did well at tournaments, you could get your name in the New York Times, Burke explained. Lessons would then pick up and increase your earnings.

Burke won 16 times on the PGA Tour, including the Masters and PGA Championship in 1956. He was also a Ryder Cup player (7-1-0) and captain.

Thursday, August 10

THE 2017 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP IS UNDERWAY at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jimmy Walker is the defending champion. Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and last week's winner, Hideki Matsuyama, are favorites. The field of 156 tour and club professionals are playing for the Wanamaker Trophy and much more.

Sunday, August 6

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA HASN'T WON A MAJOR, but it seems as if it's just a matter of time for the No. 3 ranked golfer in the world.

The Japanese star rallied to win the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday (his third victory this season) by putting together a record-tying 61 on Firestone Country Club. The blistering round included birdies on the final three holes. Zach Johnson was a distant second, five shots off the pace.

Matsuyama has now won two World Golf Championships. He bagged the HSBC Champions last fall, also a blowout, him winning by seven strokes.

But the 25-year-old PGA Tour player didn't see a 61 at Firestone, or another title, especially after a final-round warm-up session that left him wondering about the direction of the golf ball.

"[M]y expectations really at the beginning of this week weren't that high ... and here we are," Matsuyama said.

The PGA Championship begins at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte on Thursday.

"I haven't won a major yet," Matsuyama added. "I have a lot of work left to do. But that's not to say that I don't have confidence."

Kim Wins Women's British Open
I.K. Kim took a 6-shot lead into the final round of the Women's British Open at Kingsbarns Links in St. Andrews, Scotland, and held on to claim her first major championship title.

''I cannot describe my feelings,'' Kim said after a final-round 71 produced a two-shot victory. ''I just tried to have some fun, but it wasn't fun on the back nine.''

Q: Can you talk about the rich history and design of Quail Hollow Club?

A: George Cobb, ASGCA, designed course which first opened in 1961. We still use the same fairway corridors today. Though the greens are certainly larger.

Q: Quail Hollow opened in 1961. When did Fazio Golf Course Designers first work on the golf course?

A: The first visit was in 1993, the initial steps in preparation for a 1996 renovation. That renovation impacted about 25% of course. For example, the 9th green was within 30' of clubhouse; that's valuable real estate! So, we moved the golf away a bit from the clubhouse.

Q: Were any additional specific updates made to Quail Hollow after the PGA Championship was awarded to the club?

A: The Master Plan that was implemented years ago at the course is still in use. Over time, there have been updates to the greens, grasses, bunkers, etc. in 2016 there was a redesign of four holes following the PGA Tour event; Bermuda grass was planted on greens and bunker sand was replaced.

Q: Does that means golfers will compete on a dramatically different course than before?

A: The final several holes are known as the "Green Mile." It is a tough way to finish. No. 18 has a number of fairway angles, bunker on the right is in play, as is the creek on the left.

Q: "Firm and fast" greens is the case at recent majors. Will this be the case at Quail Hollow?

A: Champion Bermuda grass will keep the greens firm and fast. Originally, the course was planted with 328 Bermuda; now we use 419 Bermuda.

Q: If I'm watching the PGA Championship from home, what should I focus on to better enjoy the tournament?

A: Quail Hollow has great character, with undulations throughout the course, leading to variety of shots. Water on both the front and back 9 makes the entire course a challenge. Every golfer in the field has the ability to shoot low scores one day at Quail Hollow, but they might stall out on other days.

Q: What is the future for Quail Hollow beyond the PGA Championship?

A: The PGA Tour returns with the Wells Fargo Championship in 2018. And in 2021, Quail Hollow will host the Presidents Cup.

Q: No pressure on you gentlemen to predict the winning score, but Ron Whitten (one of the golf course architects at Erin Hills) called the U.S. Open score on the number!

A: The PGA sets up scoring for their championship. Traditionally -10 or -12 would be a good score.

Q: Any other holes of interest for the TV viewers?

A: No. 14 could be set up as a driveable par 4. Water is in play to varying degrees on Holes 14-18; which should make it dramatic for the players and fin to watch for viewers.

Q: Any additional thoughts on the PGA Championship?

A: Tom Fazio has a long-term relationship with the PGA; his courses have hosted three of the past 12 PGA Championships.

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